Resection Margin Sensing for Precise Lesion Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical resection of lesions is challenging due to tissue deformation and physiological motion, leading to imprecise resection margins and potential recurrence or metastasis, particularly in lung and breast surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using sensors to measure and calculate resection margins, providing auditory, visual, and haptic cues to ensure precise tissue resection, including a surgical instrument with embedded sensors and a controller to determine distances and orientations, and optionally using bronchoscopic positioning for airway definition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive surgical resection is performed, then patient trauma is reduced, but resection precision deteriorates due to tissue deformation and physiological motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a preoperative 3D model of the patient's anatomy and pre-planning the resection path before surgery begins. This allows the surgical instrument to be guided along a predetermined safe path that accounts for tissue deformation and physiological motion, ensuring precision without requiring real-time manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary navigation system that includes optical trackers, fluorescent markers, and image guidance systems. These intermediaries bridge the gap between the surgical instrument and the target lesion, allowing real-time monitoring and adjustment despite tissue deformation and physiological motion during minimally invasive procedures.
2Measurement precision
If conventional open chest procedures are performed, then resection precision is improved, but patient trauma and recovery time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of open chest procedures with a navigation-guided minimally invasive approach. Instead of physically opening the chest to directly visualize and resect the lesion, the system uses optical tracking, image guidance, and preoperative 3D modeling to precisely locate and resect the lesion through smaller incisions, reducing trauma while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If lung is collapsed during VATS procedure, then access to lesion is improved, but localization precision deteriorates due to tissue deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The system addresses the dynamic problem of lung collapse by using real-time image guidance and optical tracking that continuously updates the lesion location as the lung deflates and retracts. The navigation system dynamically adjusts the surgical path based on changing anatomical landmarks, maintaining localization precision despite the dynamic deformation caused by lung collapse.
4Measurement precision
If sensors and navigation systems are added to improve resection precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating multiple capabilities into a single navigation system that can perform preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, real-time localization, and postoperative verification. This unified system reduces overall complexity compared to using separate specialized devices for each function, while still providing comprehensive precision measurement and guidance throughout the surgical workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for resecting a tissue mass. The system for resecting a tissue mass includes a first sensor for measuring a signal corresponding to the position and orientation of the tissue mass. The first sensor is dimensioned to fit inside of or next to the tissue mass. The system also includes a second sensor attached to a surgical instrument configured to measure the position and orientation of the surgical instrument. A controller is in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, and the controller executes a stored program to calculate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. Accordingly, visual, auditory, haptic or other feedback is provided to the clinician to guide the surgical instrument to the surgical margin.